National Officer Slate
The MTNA Nominating Committee has prepared a slate consisting of two candidates for each officer position. The names of each candidate and their biographies may be below. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the candidates. Then cast your ballot for the persons you want to represent you. You may vote for only one candidate for each office. Voting closes Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time.
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President-elect

Kevin Chance, NCTM
“MTNA has been an invaluable
part of my development since my
earliest years of study, and the support
and encouragement I received
from the local, state and national
levels of our association are a large
reason why I chose to become a
professional musician. The events
provided motivation, and the encouragement
that I received from the
members made me feel affirmed and valued as a
young student. As a young professional, MTNA was a
vital part of starting my career, and I continue to grow
from our conferences and the vast network of colleagues
that MTNA provides.
“I have certainly been reminded of the importance
of our organization during the past two years. I do not
know how I would have navigated teaching through the
pandemic had I not taken advantage of the knowledge
and resources that MTNA offered, and I have been
grateful that MTNA found virtual ways to keep us connected.
Likewise, I have frequently been reminded how
critical musical instruction is to the emotional health and
development of our students, and I continue to realize
each day how noble our profession is.
“From my perspective, it is more critical than ever
that we continue to invest in keeping MTNA a vibrant,
dynamic organization that supports us as colleagues
while continuing to foster future generations of musicians.
MTNA is a multi-generational organization, and
each generation within our membership has unique
needs. I feel it is important for us to continue to listen
and respond to the needs of our newest colleagues as
well as our most seasoned members and continue to
work not only at the national level but also at the state
and local levels to be sure that we are creatively thinking
of programs and resources that will benefit the breadth
of our diverse membership.
“I have volunteered for MTNA at the local and state
levels since I began my career, and I have served with
the Southern Division Competitions for 13 years. At the
national level, I was elected as the Southern Division
director, and I recently finished my term as the national
vice president. Each opportunity I have to give back to
MTNA in any way for what it has provided me as a student
and as a professional is a privilege, and I would be
deeply honored to serve as our next president,” he says.

Cindy Peterson-Peart, NCTM
Cindy Peterson-Peart, NCTM, is an
independent piano teacher who has
maintained a vibrant private studio in
Beaverton, Oregon, for more than 30
years. She holds a bachelor’s degree
in music from Willamette University
and is in demand as an adjudicator
and clinician.
Cindy currently holds the office of
MTNA Vice President for Membership
and chairs the Membership Committee. Previous
MTNA leadership roles have included Northwest
Division Director (2018–2020), Membership Committee
(2016–2020), Collegiate Chapters Forum Chair (2018–
2020), Chair of the State Presidents Advisory Council,
and Senior Coordinator for the MTNA Performance
Competitions at the state and division levels.
Cindy is active in the Oregon Music Teachers
Association and works on several state and local committees.
She has served as president of OMTA, State
Conference chair, president of Portland District MTA and
treasurer of Portland District. She was honored to be
named Oregon’s 2020 MTNA Foundation Fellow as well
as to receive Honorary State Life Membership in 2021.
As a collaborative pianist, Cindy enjoys performing
with Too Grand!, an eight-hand piano ensemble that
donates private concert proceeds to local charities. They
have raised more than $400,000 to date, a wonderful
testament to the power of music.
“As a teacher, fostering a life-long love of music is my
mission, and it brings me immense joy to send my students
off into the world as confident, sensitive musicians and
committed patrons of the arts. As a leader, my aspiration
has always been to encourage innovative thinking and to
respond creatively to the times in which we find ourselves.
The past two years have been challenging, to say the
least. Many of us have had to rethink what it means to be
a teacher and what role we, and music, play in our students’
lives. MTNA has been an invaluable support during
these times and in years past. I can honestly say MTNA has
shaped who I am as a teacher, musician and colleague. I
am committed to providing that valued support to the next
generation of teachers. I am honored and humbled to be
nominated and to have the opportunity to give back to this
incredible organization. I have a passion for the programs
that have always made MTNA great as well as an excitement
for new initiatives that will continue to support our
members and their students. If elected, I will work diligently
with your amazing MTNA Board to embrace the challenges
and wonders that lie ahead,” she says.
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Gulimina Mahamuti, NCTM
Growing up in western China,
Gulimina Mahamuti, DMA, NCTM,
www.gulimina.com, saw the world
through two different cultures. First,
that of the Uyghur people and that of
the Han majority. As the first Uyghur
from China to receive a DMA degree
in piano performance from the U.S.,
she debuted major works at Carnegie
Hall, performed piano concerti,
gave solo and collaborative performances in Montreal,
Copenhagen, Istanbul, Budapest and across the U.S.
and China and broadcasted on radio and TV programs.
As a pianist, Gulimina promotes music of various cultures
and advocates for lesser-known repertoire. Her CD
recording on Xinjiang Piano Music from Western China
presents to the world the unique piano literature of the
underrepresented ethnicities of China, features works by
the Chinese-American female composer Chen Yi and by
the ethnomusicologist and composer Shi Fu. Her editorial
work on Shi Fu’s Three Xinjiang Piano Suites was acknowledged
by the distinguished Shanghai Music Publishing
House. Gulimina’s thesis on Shi Fu’s Suites became the
main reference for Chinese and western music scholars.
She was interviewed frequently by Chinese media and was
featured on the radio in San Francisco, Queens College/
CUNY podcast, China Touch Radio and Istanbul Technical
University Radio. With her duo partner, George Lopez,
artist-in-residence of Bowdoin College, they advocate for
piano music reflecting diversified themes and repertoire.
Gulimina was a part-time assistant professor of music
at Ohio Wesleyan University before moving to Maine,
where she serves as Maine MTA’s immediate past president.
She is a member of MTNA’s DEI committee. As a
piano professor, she fosters music learning experiences
to students with learning disabilities and students from
farming communities, including immigrant families. She
volunteered at the Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center, a
predominately African-American community, where she
instills a love of music and piano while developing students’
technical skills and performance levels. The Ohio
House of Representatives passed a special resolution to
thank her dedication in teaching.
“In this pivotal time witnessing a nationwide call for
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I see MTNA as a cradle
that nurtures love and passion for members and students
while fostering a culture that reflects people of all
ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. If I am elected
MTNA Vice President of DEI, it will allow me to help lead
MTNA on national and international scales with a vision
that reflects the diversity, equity and inclusion of America
and the world in the 21st century,” she says.

William Chapman Nyaho, NCTM
William Chapman Nyaho, NCTM, a
Ghanaian American, is an active solo
recitalist, duo pianist and chamber
musician, giving recitals and concerts
throughout the United States and in
Europe, Africa, Asia, South America
and the Caribbean.
He regularly serves as a guest
clinician at colleges and universities
around the United States and adjudicates
for national and international piano competitions.
Chapman Nyaho’s professional experience includes
being a North Carolina Visiting Artist and associate
professor of music at the University of Louisiana
at Lafayette, where he held the Heymann Endowed
Professorship and was the recipient of the Distinguished
Professor Award. He has served as visiting professor of
piano at Colby College and Pomona College, as well as
artist-in-residence at Willamette University. He has also
been on the summer faculty of the Interlochen Center
for the Arts. Chapman Nyaho currently serves on the
piano faculty at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma,
Washington as well as operating a private teaching studio
in Seattle. In addition to teaching, Chapman Nyaho
has served on several board of trustees including the
Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy.
A strong advocate for music by composers of African
descent, Chapman Nyaho’s publications include a
five-volume anthology entitled Piano Music of Africa
and the African Diaspora [Oxford University Press]
for which he received the 2022 MTNA-Frances Clark
Keyboard Pedagogy Award. He has recorded three CDs
of solo piano music by composers of African Descent
titled Senku, Asa and Kete on the MSR Classics label. He
has also recorded Aaron Copland: Music for Two Pianos
and the recently released Five by Four as the Nyaho/
Garcia Duo. Chapman Nyaho earned his degrees from
St. Peter’s College, Oxford University, the Eastman
School of Music and the University of Texas at Austin.
He also studied at the Conservatoire de Musique de
Genève in Switzerland.
“Having grown up straddling different music cultures, I
try to highlight and celebrate diversity of thought, teaching
styles tailored to the student’s uniqueness, as well as
strongly advocating diversity of voices in art music, I am
thus particularly honored to have been nominated by
MTNA to be the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion that promotes and facilitates the growth of the
music teacher in all areas of the field,” he says.
Vice President for Membership

Barbara Fast, NCTM
Barbara Fast, NCTM, serves on
the piano faculty at the University
of Oklahoma as director of piano
pedagogy and piano area chair,
where she coordinates the group
piano program as well as teaches
graduate and undergraduate piano
pedagogy. Numerous teaching
awards at OU include: David Ross
Boyd Professor Award for Excellence
in Teaching, Regents Award for Superior Teaching and
the Rothbaum Presidential Professor of Excellence in
the Arts Award. Former faculty appointments include
the University of Northern Iowa, Hesston College and
Woodstock International School in India.
As an active member of MTNA, Barbara served as the
2020–2022 South Central Division director. Additionally,
she served on the MTNA e-Journal Editorial committee.
At the state level, she served on the Oklahoma Music
Teachers Association (OMTA) Board as president and
Collegiate Chapter representative. Collaborating with
the leadership team of OMTA while organizing two state
conferences and encouraging new and younger members
for the OMTA Board were highlights.
Mentoring students and young professionals remains
a priority for Barbara, and the OU Collegiate Chapter
won the MTNA Chapter of the Year award three different
years. In recognition of her guidance of students,
Barbara was the recipient of the Oklahoma Music
Teacher of the Year award.
Barbara also co-founded the National Group Piano
and Piano Pedagogy Forum (GP3) in 2000, a biannual
conference. Active on the GP3 Executive committee, she
appreciates MTNA’s commitment to fostering teaching
in higher education as well as independent studios.
A culmination of her interest in effective teaching,
learning and practicing, resulted in the book iPractice:
Technology in the 21st Century Music Practice Room
(Oxford). Fast has presented at numerous conferences
and webinars focused on practicing, the brain and
learning and performance anxiety.
“I believe that the broad scope of MTNA, an organization
that embraces all musicians, performers as well as
teachers, is the professional platform that allows us to
learn and to grow. Friendships formed, new knowledge
gained and shared at the local, state and national level,
is easily fostered within MTNA. MTNA has served as the
connecting point for me professionally throughout my
life. I am honored to be nominated and will work diligently
to help make a difference in the lives of current
and future members through MTNA,” she says.

Yelena Wells
Yelena Wells holds a doctor of
musical arts degree in piano performance
and a master of music
degree in Piano Performance and
Pedagogy. She has taught college
music classes for more than 20
years. Her expertise includes applied
and class piano, music history and
music appreciation. Her leadership
roles include conducting recruitment
workshops and overseeing community music school
preparatory program. She is a frequent adjudicator for
Michigan’s state and local piano competitions.
Yelena has served on the board of Michigan Music
Teachers Association as the technology and communications
chair for the past six years. She has also served
as president, vice president, historian, and marketing
chair of her local association, the Piano Teachers Forum
of Grand Rapids. Yelena has a passion for helping individuals
and chapters develop and grow their online visibility.
She has presented on “Marketing Your Studio” and
“Social Media 101” at the local, state and national levels.
As a business leader, Yelena serves on the board of
Grand Rapids Business Breakfast advocating professional
development and business networking. Her interests
include nonprofit fundraising and development. She
has led fundraising efforts for local non-profits including
Samuel Omogo Foundation, Henna Crowns of Courage
and Ama International. Yelena understands the value
of networking in building relationships, bringing awareness
and developing growth. She has been a member
of the Chamber of Commerce, Business Networking
International and Toastmasters.
Yelena is the recipient of the League for Innovation
John & Suanne Roueche Excellence Award, Grand
Rapids Community College Excellence in Education
Faculty Award, Teacher of the Year from the Piano
Teacher’s Forum of Grand Rapids and most recently,
the Distinguished Service Award from Michigan Music
Teachers Association.
“MTNA is an organization like no other! Having joined
MTNA as a college student, I have reaped the benefits
of membership through lifelong friendships, service
opportunities and professional support. I am honored
to be nominated for the vice president of membership
position and look forward to furthering the mission of
MTNA by strengthening, growing and diversifying its
membership,” she says.
Secretary-Treasurer

Heather Smith, NCTM
Heather Smith, NCTM maintains
a multi-faceted career as
a music educator, administrator
and community arts advocate. She
serves on the MTNA Development
Committee (2016–current) and the
MTNA Business Network (2021–current).
Heather also served on the
2020 MTNA Conference Planning
Committee. She is the director of
development and advancement for The Frances Clark
Center and is the co-creator of The Frances Clark
Center’s online course, A Pianist’s Guide to Studio
Management. Heather is a member of the College of
Examiners for The Royal Conservatory of Music and
examines students throughout North America. She has
written several articles that were published in American
Music Teacher, the MTNA Business Digest and Piano
Magazine.
As a Certified Change Leader with the Utah Division
of Arts & Museums, she regularly organizes local and
national fundraising events to support music teachers,
students and communities through the musical arts.
Heather oversaw the creation of the Lenora Ford Brown
Recital Venue in a local art center in her hometown. In
2021, she was awarded the Advocacy in Action Award by
the Utah Music Teachers Association for her dedication
to the betterment of Utah’s music and arts culture.
Heather received a bachelor of music degree and
a master of music degree in piano performance from
the University of Utah. In addition to her music degrees,
she has a bachelor of science degree in accounting
from Maryville University and an MBA from Westminster
College. Heather worked as a tax manager for several
years before switching careers to become a music
teacher. Formerly the assistant director and associate
instructor at the University of Utah’s School of Music
Preparatory Division, Heather now teaches private lessons
and group classes in her home studio in Centerville,
Utah.
“MTNA has been an integral part of my professional
and personal life over the past 20 years. Not only have
I benefited from the continuing education and career
development opportunities, I have been enriched by
networking with wonderful colleagues whom I now
consider my friends. I am grateful for the example of so
many who have given selfless voluntary service for our
association. I would consider it an honor to utilize my
experience in music and business and serve as an officer
to support MTNA as secretary-treasurer,” she says.

Beverly Smoker
Beverly Smoker is professor emerita
of music at Nazareth College, where
she served as coordinator of keyboard
studies and taught piano, piano pedagogy
and literature. She retired in May
2017 as chair of the music department
and director of the master of music in
performance and pedagogy. She
previously taught at Cornell, Grinnell
and Coe Colleges and at the University
of Iowa, and for several years, also maintained a private
piano studio in her home. Her students have earned
undergraduate and graduate music degrees at universities
throughout the country and maintain careers as pedagogues
and performing artists.
A long-term MTNA member, Beverly has presented
many lectures, workshops and performances for national
and state conferences as well as for local community
organizations. Numerous appearances as pianist include
performances on the Knitting Factory Composer Series
in New York City and recordings for Centaur Records
and ABC Radio in Brisbane, Australia. She presents a
wide range of repertoire including recitals and workshops
devoted to 20th-century music, and has premiered
several works written for her. Beverly was a recipient of
a Gramma Fisher Fellowship at the American Institute
of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, and for 10 years, a
recipient of solo touring grants from the Iowa Arts Council
and National Endowment for the Arts. In 2017 she was
honored with the Rochester Philharmonic’s Outstanding
Music Educators Special Award.
Beverly has enjoyed the opportunity to serve NYSMTA
as president, immediate past president, co-vice president
for conferences, vice president for professional activities
and new music review chair. Active in her local association,
she served as district chair for a several years. She was
recently awarded the 2022 NYSMTA Citation.
“MTNA has always been a part of my life in music. MTNA
gave me some of my first adjudication opportunities;
competitions and festivals provided opportunities for my
students; local and state associations linked me to mentors,
colleagues and lifelong friends. As a young teacher, I was
inspired and educated by the performance, master class
and lecture presentations at MTNA Conferences. Today, I
am equally inspired and educated by the offerings of our
2022 MTNA Virtual Conference. Truly MTNA has evolved to
meet the needs of its members. Since its inception, MTNA
has remained constant in connecting and supporting
music teachers with educational, professional and artistic
programs and pivotal in establishing and sustaining our
profession as viable and relevant in an ever-changing
world. It would be my great honor to serve our organization
as Secretary-Treasurer,” she says.